Open a Travel Agency in Australia

Businessmen who want to open a travel agency in Australia should know that the process of registration follows the same legal obligations imposed for the incorporation of any other type of business. Specific rules may apply based on the types of activities the travel agency will provide.

Our consultants in company incorporation in Australia can offer consultancy services and can also represent you during the registration formalities.

What are the necessary formalities for the registration of an Australian travel agency?

Businessmen can opt to incorporate any of the company structures available here, but it is recommended to open a company in Australia as a private company.

This business form is recommended to investors because the entity has separate legal personality than the founders, which limits the liability of the founders in case in which the company has debts. For companies that have a large volume of operations it is best to opt for this kind of framework, although other business forms can also have their benefits (our specialists can elaborate on this subject).

Regardless of the entity selected, company founders need to draw up and sign the statutory documents and register with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The travel agency will also need:

1. a registered trading name;
2. an Australian Business Number (ABN);
3. tax registration for the payment of the Goods and Services Tax (GST);
4. an official address;
5. a bank account.

Employment obligations

Given that the business will operate as a travel agency, it is necessary to hire key personnel that can carry out specific activities required in this field. Thus, it must be noted that those who want to open a travel agency in Australia are required to hire at least one travel agent, who has proper qualifications.

Although the legal requirements under which a travel agency can function may differ from one state/territory to another, it must be noted that at a national level, travel agents do not need to be licensed in order to perform this employment activity. The obligation to hold a license as a travel agent has been repealed since 2014.

What are the laws applicable in the tourism industry?

Investors who will open a travel agency in Australia are required to abide by the provisions of various rules of law. The main regulations that must be observed in this industry are the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Australian Consumer Law, but the provisions of the following can also apply:

1. The Privacy Act 1988;
2. The Australian Privacy Principles;
3. The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
4. The National Marine Safety Laws, etc.

Please mind that travel agents that book travel packages in national parks and other protected areas in Australia must respect the laws and procedures concerning the protection of the environment.

We also mention that Australia does not have a tourist tax, as it can happen in other countries, but those who will complete the process of company incorporation in Australia in this industry in the state of Victoria must know that this is the sole state that charges a tourist levy, known as the Short Stay Levy, charged at a rate of 7,5% of the total cost of the stay, in cases where the duration of the visit is maximum 28 days (visits longer than 28 days are exempt from this tax).

What types of activities can a travel agency offer?

Before you open a travel agency in Australia, it is advisable to complete a market study to see who the competitors are, to whom you can address your services (the target clients), to observe the tourism demand and preferences, and many others.

This is recommended so that, after the process of company formation in Australia is completed, you can start a successful business, based on the results of the analysis, after which you can simply implement your company’s business strategy.

A travel agency has various responsibilities. Its main purpose is to book travel packages for clients and manage all the aspects deriving from the respective package (the associated responsibilities can vary based on the nature of the travel package).

The travel agency, through the appointed travel agent, will handle the itinerary the clients will have during their travel, will book the accommodation and the flights and any other means of transportation that are part of the tour, the cruises (where applicable), the travel insurance, etc.

The owners of this category of businesses can provide their services to the general public, regardless of its nature, or it can focus on niche clientele – for instance, only corporate clients or luxury travel packages.

An advantage of setting up a company in Australia as a travel agency is that such companies can carry out their activity only online, or they can also have a physical shop, usually located in a crowded area, such as the center of the city, a mall, etc., where interested clients can address an employee and book a travel package.

The way to set up a business is highly influenced by the capital the investors dispose of, as well as the business model they want to engage in. If you need consultancy services on this matter and you want to find out which model best suits your situation, our consultants in company formation in Australia can offer the necessary assistance.

Tourism industry in Australia

The tourism industry is booming, therefore investing in a travel agency can have lucrative prospects. In the list below, we present some of the highlights of this sector:

• the travel and tourism industry in Australia is estimated at $314,4 billion (in terms of revenue) in 2025, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council;
• overall, the industry supports around 1,7 million jobs, which represent 11.5% of the total employment market in Australia;
• international visitor spending in 2025 is estimated at $39 billion, while the domestic spending is $173 billion;
• although the international visitor spending is way below the domestic market, it must be noted that the projections for 2025 show an increase of 22% compared to 2024.

We also mention that 1 in 2 Australians have declared that they have saved money so that they can travel. Given these positive coordinates for this industry, investors can set up a company in Australia as a travel agency knowing that their investment can be a successful one, especially when having a solid business plan, which can be established with the professional assistance of our team.

Those who do not want to go through all the registration steps can reduce the incorporation process by purchasing a shelf company in Australia, a business form that has been incorporated and disposes of the basic characteristics that are obtained through the incorporation process. Our specialists can intermediate the sale procedure, so do not hesitate to contact us.